Transcript Highlights:

• the public largess to solve them, then we're deserving of having a better understanding of what the impact
• mention the social and education, not to mention the social and psycho-emotional<00:53:07.720><c> impacts
• impacts of school closures.<00:53:09.280><c> So,</c> closures.
• >> [laughter] >> Well, um so, it's no secret that the United States has had inflation through the roof
• no secret that Congress has spent far more money than it should, inflating the dollar, and that states

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we don't know how the governor proposes to adjust the inflation in the DWS or how this will impact
• </c> spending while also mitigating impacts spending while also mitigating impacts to<00:09:11.040><c
• </c><00:26:26.320><c> those</c> that we know what the impact those that we know what the impact those
• /c><00:47:15.079><c> individual</c> what the impact would be to individual what the impact would be to
• </c> providers Advocates uh people impacted providers Advocates uh people impacted by<01:53:42.480><c

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• not connected to our school district over the past 30 years, cell phone policies, dealing with the impact
• The fiscal costs attached to ACA 18 are relatively small, especially when the size and the impact of
• In addition, this amendment will not impose any mandatory financial impact on the UC Board of Regents
• This amendment will not impose any mandatory financial impact on the UC Board of Regents if this passes
• of the UC, the Board of Regents, but most importantly, the impact of its students, faculty, workers,

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard SCA 5, the Education Equalization Act, which would create an Equalization Reserve in the General Fund funded only in strong budget years with non-Prop 98 dollars. Senator Cortese and supporters argued it would provide a stable, ongoing stream of funding to reduce per-pupil disparities between basic-aid and non-basic-aid districts without reducing the Prop 98 minimum guarantee. Supporters included education foundation, school board, administrator, employee, and business representatives. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, argued the measure unfairly excludes charter and county school students and could worsen inequities; some committee members also raised concerns about its fiscal effects and constitutional structure. The committee ultimately voted 4-0 to adopt SCA 5, with the measure kept on call for additional members. The committee then took up a series of Assembly bills, most of which were suspense-file candidates and were moved without objection after brief or waived presentations and no opposition testimony. AB 402, AB 708, AB 1080, AB 1126, AB 1235, AB 1555, AB 1641, ACA 7, AB 1672, AB 1943, AB 2565, and AB 2571 were all sent to suspense. AB 1204 drew testimony from school district leaders and coalition members who said it would worsen LCFF funding disparities by shifting future growth away from the base grant; the bill was opposed and moved to suspense. AB 1672 received support from CalPACE. The Department of Finance did not attend and had no comments on the measures. Finally, ACA 18 was presented as a constitutional amendment to double student voting seats on the UC Board of Regents, creating separate undergraduate and graduate student representation. The author and UC student witnesses said the change would strengthen student voice on issues such as tuition, housing, basic needs, and free speech, and would align UC with CSU and community college governance. There was no opposition testimony, but the committee treated ACA 18 as a suspense-file candidate and moved it to suspense without objection. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do want to address the fiscal impact.
• As the author of the bill, I was not informed of a fiscal impact that came out. Okay.
• Did you request anything from House staff on fiscal impact? No, sir. Okay. One follow-up.
• They did not indicate that there would be a fiscal impact.
• They did not indicate that there would be a fiscal impact.

Bills: HB3725 , HB3260 , HB3660 , HB3369 , HB3370

Committee: House Business

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 3725, as amended by a PCS, which would require employers statewide to use E-Verify or a federal equivalent when hiring new employees. The author argued the bill would help reduce illegal immigration, protect wages and jobs for lawful workers, and impose only minimal costs because E-Verify is free and quick to use. Members raised concerns about burdens on small businesses, farms, and ranches; state versus federal authority; enforcement by the Department of Labor; identity theft and false positives; possible litigation; and what would happen if the federal system went offline or changed. The author said the bill includes good-faith protections, a trigger repeal if the federal program expands, and that he would file additional language to address shutdown-related disruptions. No motion was made, and the bill remained in committee. The committee then heard and passed several other measures without opposition. House Bill 3260 would add the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association as an approved provider for continuing education credits for funeral director license renewals, and it passed 9-0. House Bill 3660 would authorize natural organic reduction, described as transforming human remains into soil, and it also passed 9-0. House Bill 3369 would revise food truck fire code requirements by allowing portable fire extinguishers instead of an automatic suppression system and by allowing licensed plumbers, not just Oklahoma LP Gas, to inspect or install certain gas plumbing; members discussed possible conflicts with another LP gas fix and agreed to work together, and the bill passed 9-0. Finally, House Bill 3370 would extend the effective date of the food truck fire code to November 1, 2028, creating a sunset to allow more time for a broader solution. The author said he preferred another option but wanted this bill available if needed. After brief clarification, the committee passed HB 3370 9-0. The meeting ended with the chair noting there would be three meetings left in the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have delays in Medicaid eligibility approvals, which again are significantly impacting patients
• They're difficult to discharge patients, they strain hospital capacity, they inflate costs, and they
• Impact on a lot of the cases that we actually have, patients where they're waiting for a decision on
• Integris wanted to share their financial impacts.
• There's one client in general who had a very significant impact on our staff, and his name is Bobby.

Committee: House Public Health

Summary: The meeting focused on hospital “avoidable days” and the difficulty of discharging medically stable patients who still need post-acute placement or social services. Presenters from Saint Anthony Hospital Midtown, the Oklahoma Hospital Association, City Care, and OU Health described common barriers including lack of skilled nursing, rehab, long-term care, behavioral health, and hospice placements; insurance prior authorization delays; Medicaid and Social Security eligibility delays; guardianship and Adult Protective Services bottlenecks; limited home health and private duty nursing; and the challenge of placing unhoused, uninsured, or medically complex patients. Several speakers emphasized that these delays reduce bed availability, increase emergency department boarding, contribute to staff burnout, and expose patients to hospital-acquired conditions and other harms. The testimony included multiple examples of patients remaining in acute care for days, weeks, or even months after being medically ready for discharge, including patients awaiting guardianship, disability determinations, or placement in facilities willing to accept them. Speakers also highlighted special populations such as patients with behavioral health or substance use disorders, medically fragile children, patients with criminal histories, and unhoused individuals who need respite or hospice care. City Care described its planned 40-bed medical respite facility, set to open in 2027, as a way to provide clinical support and housing navigation for patients too sick to recover on the street or in shelters. Witnesses recommended policy and system changes such as standardizing preauthorization protocols, expanding rural swing-bed and home-based services, increasing public guardianship resources, improving data collection on homelessness, expanding private duty nursing hours, and creating more placement options for complex patients. They also suggested better coordination between hospitals, DHS, APS, the Health Department, and post-acute facilities, including a database of facility services to improve discharge planning and keep patients closer to home. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the transcript, but the chair indicated the issue would require collaboration across multiple agencies and partners.

Transcript Highlights:

• Slide 14, this just gives you some examples of the Senate approach ignoring kind of the, the impact of
• Uh These types of things would have big fiscal impacts to the state. Changing the FMAP.
• What are the potential impacts and what are some of our fiscal estimates on slide 19?
• What are the three things that you believe from a purely financial perspective, not impacts, not, not
• Um, and then drill down on, um, any number of very high impact areas we've looked at as we we'll maybe

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• And inflation hasn't helped that.
• </c> uh and the decisions that will impact uh and the decisions that will impact them. them. them.
• </c> and in having mental health impacts. and in having mental health impacts.
• </c><01:34:01.199><c> the</c> have actually negatively impacted the have actually negatively impacted
• Maybe multiple boards who are impacted.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas the state calls for education of future generations about the history and the impact of the
• And whereas the state calls for education of future generations about the history and the impact of the
• SB 1020, elective state officers inflation. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are not just individual impacts. This impacts families and communities.
• These are not just individual impacts. This impacts families and communities.
• These are not just individual impacts. This impacts families and communities.
• This impacts staff in the communities they live in.
• But this impact of private equity.

Bills: HF3668 , HF2779 , HF2771

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Many impacted service members already live here or are returning home, with significant concentrations
• Members who have impacted and have met the challenge and challenges that will be there from the federal
• This bill gives support to those veterans who have been impacted negatively, have been affected by recent
• The threshold will be $83,474, and will continue to adjust annually with inflation.
• Some have raised concerns about general fund impact as a response to oppose this bill.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• impact from San Francisco's nightlife sector and that it employed 48,000 people.
• Our latest estimates put the economic impact around $7 billion and 54,000 employees as of 2023.
• The inflation in terms of actual just products has put us to the brink.
• Rideshare has had a sustained impact in reducing DUIs, and the data on that is pretty clear.
• And I say that not to belittle the impact of arts, culture, nightlife, and sports.

Summary: The Select Committee on Downtown Recovery held a hearing titled “Revitalizing California’s Downtowns Through the Nightlife Economy,” focused on how nightlife, arts, entertainment, and late-night transportation can support downtown recovery after the pandemic. Chair Matt Haney framed nightlife as a major economic and cultural sector and said the committee hopes to produce policy, budget, and legislative proposals, building on last year’s downtown recovery bills. The hearing included three panels: nightlife policy experts and a venue owner; representatives from entertainment, tourism, and rideshare; and remote witnesses from London, Philadelphia, and New York discussing how other cities manage 24-hour economies. Witnesses on the first panel emphasized that nightlife is an ecosystem that includes workers, venues, transportation, and public safety. Michael Fishman described the growth of night managers and argued that zoning, licensing, and land costs can either support or choke off creative venues; he also said extending hours can reduce congestion and unsafe spillover if done in a regulated way. Ben Van Houten highlighted San Francisco’s entertainment zones, hospitality zone liquor licenses, Type 90 music venue licenses, and other local reforms, while urging more state coordination and possible tax and licensing changes. Darcy Drolinger of Oasis said independent venues are operating on thin margins, have faced repeated near-closures, and need tools such as extended alcohol service hours to remain viable and preserve community and LGBTQ+ cultural spaces. The second panel focused on tourism, major events, and transportation. Another Planet Entertainment’s Mary Condi said festivals and venues like Outside Lands, the Castro Theatre, and the Fox and Greek theaters draw large numbers of visitors, support hotels and restaurants, and require close coordination with city agencies; she also raised concerns about unexpected possessory interest tax bills and the burden of secondary ticketing and cannabis taxes. Amelia Zamani of Cal Travel said travel and tourism remain a major economic engine and argued that nightlife is central to attracting international visitors, conventions, and major events, especially if California wants to compete with cities that allow later alcohol service. Lyft’s Nicholas Johnson said late-night rides serve workers as well as patrons, reduce DUI risk, and are essential for safe access to downtowns and event venues. In the final panel, officials from London and Philadelphia described their nighttime governance models. London witnesses said the city created a 24-hour city strategy, a night czar, and a nightlife commission, and found that nightlife supports economic activity, workforce retention, and safer, more diverse districts when paired with flexible licensing and better transit. Philadelphia’s Rahim Manning said his city treats the nighttime economy as a major industry, with a $26.2 billion annual impact, and stressed that it includes manufacturing, logistics, health care, transportation, food service, arts, and sports—not just bars and clubs. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with committee members asking questions about extended hours, transportation, family-friendly programming, cannabis activation, ticketing, and how California can better support a safe and competitive nighttime economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fiscal note indicates a 25 million fiscal impact. Senator Cleary.
• Impact. Senator Cleary.
• The cumulative inflation rate over that time has been 36%, so inflation has been the major contributor
• The fiscal note indicates minimal impact. Senator Klein.
• The fiscal note indicates a $476,000 fiscal impact. Senator Klein.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, pledge, roll call, and a quorum present, then approved a motion to lay over House Bill 1525 for one legislative day. It also voted not to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2294, 2297, 2070, 4017, and 2262, appointing conference committees for each. The chamber then took up a series of House bill amendments and final-passage votes. On amendments, the Senate adopted changes to House Bill 1229 on fleeing law enforcement and driving-record transparency after debate over insurance impacts and public safety; House Bill 1510 on teacher retention, on-site child care, and licensure study language; House Bill 1160 to restrict student personal electronic devices during instructional time; House Bill 1429 to address drone harassment and stalking of animals; House Bill 1203 to harmonize medical marijuana provisions; House Bill 1600 to create a UND immigration clinic with reporting requirements; House Bill 1130 to broaden K-12 funding formula changes and reduce state fiscal impact; House Bill 1279 to modify the coal conversion tax exemption; House Bill 1442 to adjust membership and scope of a state task force; and House Bill 1464 to convert a maternal care services proposal into a study and remove the appropriation. The Senate rejected an amendment to House Bill 1022 concerning the Retirement and Investment Office bonus program, then passed the bill. It also passed House Bill 1234 on a $90 million transfer to reduce PERS liability, while rejecting a floor amendment to it. On final passage, the Senate passed House Bills 1008 (Public Service Commission budget), 1218 (temporary moratorium and study on economic analysis for drain projects), 1234 (PERS funding transfer), 1146 (PERS defined contribution cleanup and emergency clause), 1355 (expanded notice for administrative rulemaking), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes and guide/outfitter updates), 1029 (Capital Grounds Planning Commission duties), 1017 (Game and Fish budget), 1374 (township supervisor open-meeting exemption for on-site inspections), and 1064 (NC-SARA membership and distance education regulation). It defeated House Bill 1583 on false political advertisements with civil-action language and House Bill 1393 on earned wage access provider regulation. The transcript ends as the Senate begins consideration of House Bill 1326 on self-defense and unlawful firearm possession by felons.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the impact that's going to have on our CSUs and on our UC systems?
• But like today, even back then, programs were impacted.
• And so, again, we don't really see this as having any type of impact on clinical placements.
• So when a class is disrupted, the impact is immediate.
• And that's the kind of impact we're talking about here.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• the judiciary in support of fulfilling a statutory mandate to include certain protections against inflation
• mandate to include certain protections mandate to include certain protections against<00:21:49.679><c> inflation
• </c> against inflation. against inflation.

Bills: SB2841 , SB2533

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The joint Judiciary, Labor, and Technology Committee heard two bills in the morning session and later took up two Judiciary decision-making items. SB 2841 would require human trafficking awareness training for transient accommodation workers. Testimony was generally supportive from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Department of Law Enforcement, and the Hawaii Hotel Alliance/American Hotel and Lodging Association, which also proposed amendments to preserve existing industry training programs and broaden coverage. Members clarified that the administration wanted DLE to be the lead agency instead of DLIR, while the Attorney General would still handle approval of training programs. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including coverage for third-party contractors and implementation dates, and the measure was adopted with no recorded opposition. SB 2533 would adjust the salaries of the Campaign Spending Commission’s executive director and associate director to better align with comparable enforcement/compliance positions. The commission supported the bill, saying its salaries lag behind similar offices by about $30,000 and that recruitment and workload have become more difficult, while one testifier opposed the proposal. Members questioned why the bill used the Department of Health as the salary comparator and whether Ethics would be a better benchmark; the committee agreed to revise the bill to peg the salaries to the Ethics Commission instead, blank out the dollar amounts for further review, and note the requested appropriation in the report. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted. In the Judiciary decision-making agenda, SB 2203, concerning the use of masks or personal disguises by law enforcement officers, was amended to allow exceptions for officers who are unmasked nearby or who are supporting undercover operations, to change the term to “facial covering,” and to add definitions covering federal, state, and county law enforcement. The committee also set a far-future effective date and passed the bill with amendments. SB 2442, relating to judiciary purchase-of-service contracts with community-based organizations, was also passed with amendments; the committee added a far-future effective date, clarified the consumer price index reference, and noted a recommended appropriation amount of $4.26 million in the committee report. All measures were adopted without recorded no votes or reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, inflation.
• Thank you, inflation.<00:21:34.799><c> Uh,</c><00:21:35.120><c> but,</c><00:21:35.520><c> uh,</c><00:
• 21:36.159><c> the,</c><00:21:37.120><c> uh,</c><00:21:37.360><c> it</c><00:21:37.600><c> is</c> inflation
• Uh, but, uh, the, uh, it is inflation.

Transcript Highlights:

• in today's environment, again because of the rising cost of living that we have seen because of inflation
• have seen rising cost of living that we have seen because<00:01:18.720><c> of</c><00:01:18.880><c> inflation
• > and</c><00:01:19.799><c> far</c><00:01:20.000><c> too</c><00:01:20.200><c> much</c> because of inflation
• and far too much because of inflation and far too much government<00:01:20.799><c> spending</c><00:01

Summary: House Republicans held a press event to announce two priority bills focused on immigration and state spending. Rep. Isaac Schultz said his bill, House File 10, would stop taxpayer funding for people in Minnesota illegally, including through programs such as Northstar Promise, MinnesotaCare, medical assistance, and legal services. He framed the proposal as a way to redirect limited state resources to Minnesota families, veterans, people with disabilities, the homeless, and infrastructure needs, and said it could save more than $100 million, with some estimates discussed during debate reaching about $200 million for MinnesotaCare alone. Rep. Max Rymer introduced House File 16, which would require reporting to ICE or other federal immigration authorities when an undocumented immigrant is suspected of committing a violent crime, and would bar local governments from withholding information from federal authorities. He said the bill is intended to end sanctuary-city practices and improve public safety. Both lawmakers argued that the measures are narrow, targeted at violent offenders, and consistent with cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. They also said the bills respond to voter concerns about illegal immigration and rising costs. During questions, the members said the state-funding bill is aimed at state dollars, while the reporting bill complements federal law by addressing local noncooperation. They discussed concerns about eligibility tracking and said current programs do not provide enough data on how many undocumented people receive benefits. Schultz cited a family in his district that lost MinnesotaCare after an income change as an example of what he sees as unfair treatment compared with benefits for undocumented immigrants. No votes were taken at the event; the lawmakers said these are the first of several bills they plan to advance this session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since then, inflation has surged.
• Since then, inflation has surged.

Keywords: Texas state employees, retirees, compensation, House Bill 343, House Bill 247, Senator Sarah Eckhardt, Representative John Busey, cost of living, workforce, legislative session

Summary: The committee meeting focused on critical issues facing Texas state employees and retirees, highlighting the need for increased compensation and improved benefits. Senator Sarah Eckhardt and Representative John Busey presented new legislation aimed at addressing these longstanding problems, including proposed House Bills 343 and 247, which seek a $10,000 across-the-board pay increase for state employees. Senator Eckhardt emphasized the growing wage gap between public sector jobs and private sector offerings, which has led to high turnover rates and the loss of institutional knowledge. Public testimonies underscored the urgency of the issue as retirees shared their struggles with stagnant pensions amidst rising living costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• certainly provide information on a county level, but I'm not as easily able to tell citizens the impacts
• district that misses that deadline and where they might end up with their levy, and now it might impact
• saying, okay, if they haven't assessed in so many years and they're going to increase because of inflation
• saying, okay, if they haven't assessed in so many years and they're going to increase because of inflation
• The line that the county is, that's the one that we can talk about and we can have an impact on.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met to begin its study of the feasibility and desirability of revising the content of the real estate tax statement to improve property tax transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive under House Bill 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, and the Legacy Fund portion of that credit. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual tax cycle, from county budgeting and valuation notices to budget hearing notices, levy certification, cap calculations, and final tax statement mailing. They emphasized that counties and auditors do extensive coordination with taxing districts and neighboring counties, and that the process is labor-intensive and often manual. Members discussed the limited public response to budget notices and tax statements, the difficulty of explaining the legislative tax relief line, the 3% cap and valuation issues, and whether more frequent assessments or different timing would improve understanding. Several members and witnesses noted that many taxpayers only engage when they receive their final bill, and that clarity may be more important than adding more detail. NDACO also presented a rough cost survey from eight counties, estimating an average tax statement cost of about 74 cents and a statewide total near $600,000 for printing and mailing tax statements alone, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing. Witnesses noted that House Bill 1176 added other mailings and notices, increasing county workload and cost beyond the statement itself. The committee then heard from software vendors, who explained how their systems handle tax billing, budget notices, valuation notices, primary residence credit processing, and tax levy calculations, and they identified the 1600/1685 primary residence credit and discount interaction as a current programming challenge. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but we have a fiscal note from last session that I would argue is a bit or quite a bit grossly inflated
• </c><00:04:22.199><c> um</c><00:04:23.040><c> because</c> over overflight uh inflated um because over
• A grievous impact on group homes and nursing homes, and a huge shift to counties.
• </c> Advocates PE minnesotans who be impacted Advocates PE minnesotans who be impacted to<00:57:12.520
• </c><01:14:54.800><c> that</c> Revenue uh the county Levy impact that Revenue uh the county Levy impact

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The two-year General Fund impact is $64,000, and the four-year General Fund impact is $1.2 million.
• The two-year General Fund impact is $3.69 million, and the four-year General Fund impact is the same
• The two-year General Fund impact is a reduction of $100,000, and the four-year General Fund impact is
• info impact.
• There's academic impact. There's well-being impact.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on a proposed substitute operating budget bill and worked through a long series of amendments before voting on the bill. Members discussed a wide range of budget items, including court funding for Thurston County civil filings, Attorney General funding for a domestic extremism task force, grants for Yakima aquatics access, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring programs, poverty reduction work, a proposed Department of Housing task force, federal grant inventory staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, DCYF family resource centers and pediatric interim care, law enforcement training and equipment, shellfish and birthing center licensing fees, school bus depreciation, charter school accountability, transition to kindergarten priorities, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI grants. The committee also considered amendments related to the Columbia River Gorge Commission, shrub-steppe habitat mitigation, and a study on Lower Snake River reservoir drawdown impacts. Debate on many amendments centered on whether items were statewide priorities or local projects, and on the fiscal constraints of the budget. Supporters often argued that proposals would protect vulnerable populations, improve public safety, or leverage future savings and outside funding; opponents frequently cited budget pressure, the availability of existing funding, or the need to avoid singling out local projects. Some amendments were adopted, including Clark 343 on intent to fund up to 10,000 additional eCAP slots, Jones 419 on paint stewardship funding, and Stevens 070 limiting birthing center license fees. Many others failed, including amendments on Thurston County court funding, the domestic extremism task force, Yakima aquatics, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring, poverty reduction workgroup funding, the Department of Housing task force, federal grant staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, the PIC Center contract, the Lacey regional training academy, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI-related proposals. The committee then moved to the underlying bill, Proposed Substitute House Bill 2289, and adopted a do pass motion after disposing of the amendments. The transcript indicates the committee ultimately reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation.